Despite the weather conditions players from Kansas and Missouri headed to Columbus, Ohio ready to earn some respect.
It’s not often that players from these two states hear much talk about their talent level on a national basis, but this weekend was a chance to prove they belong.
Coached by well known quarterback Coach Skip Stitzell of QB Edge, the team from the Sunflower State (Kansas) and Show Me State (Missouri) left a lasting impression on those they competed against and those watching from the sidelines.
Prior to the weekends events players that made the trip learned those from the events home state (Ohio) wouldn’t be allowed to compete as their high school athletic association made a rule change just prior to the event placing a cloud over their eligibility if they competed.
It didn’t matter as some top players from twelve states made their way to the Ohio State campus looking to show their football abilities.
Saturday started off with players signing in and admiring the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. By midday nine teams were formed and play began. It didn’t take long before the guys from Kansas and Missouri knocked off their first team and showed signs they came ready to play.
Each of the teams compiled had their share of top players with many leaving lasting impressions on those who watched. But it was the teamwork Coach Stitzell preached on Saturday that would lead to the success of Sunday.
The Kansas and Missouri team roster was as follows.
Cameron Torneden
Deveon Dinwiddie
Tate Syneder
Derek Campbell
Tyler Fee
Paul Taylor
Tyler Gabbert
Auston LaBlance
Darrenn White
Jared Lanpher
Marquise Hill
Marcus Lucas
Benton Eskelsen
Walter Williams III
Cameron McLain
In the semifinals a team built from players from Kentucky, New York, Wisconsin and Minnesota looked to earn a victory over the only team to have knocked them off on Saturday.
Despite the effort Kansas/Missouri was just too much and the finals were set against another team looking to earn some respect.
When you think of Philadelphia you first think of basketball. This weekend players from the Eastern part of the Keystone State looked to leave their mark in football and did so by making the finals. Along the way Eastern would knocked off Western Pennsylvania and earn the respect of many in attendance.
Eastern Pennsylvania was represented by the following players.
Anthony McDonnaugh
Josh Grave
Jared Evans
Jaelen Strong-Rankin
Shawn Wilson
Josh Mathis
Quran Kent
Devin Sanders
Jawon Chisholm
Cody Webster
Sheldon Mayer
Kevin Johnson
Brandon Holloman
James Lynch
In the final the quarterback play of Missouri/Kansas Tyler Gabbert and Jared Lanpher proved a huge advantage. Both players are well polished in their quarterback skills and with a player like Marcus Lucas on their side; the stage was set for a finals victory.
But just like last year there is always a player that makes a big play that takes center stage. This year that belongs to Cameron Torneden of Missouri/Kansas who made a catch in the finals that had everyone talking.
The weekend was a special one despite not having players from Ohio in the event. Before leaving players and parents expressed how special it was to have a chance to test their skills against players they’ve only read about or seen highlight videos of on the internet.